This is a regular guest column submitted by the Technology Association of Oregon. If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please email mspencer@bizjournals.com.

In the past couple of years, the number of tech companies expanding into the Portland market has increased.

In the last 12 months, there has been a flurry of activity. BBVA, Aruba Networks, Impero, ShowPad, TalkDesk, Bodybuilding.com, Phase2, DoubleDutch, Quick Left, AppNexus, Airbnb, SquareSpace, Customer.io and Indice are just some examples of recent expansions.

In this and in future columns, we will check in with some of these companies to see how things are going.

One way that companies are entering the region is through mergers and acquisitions of Portland-area tech startups. In a few instances, the teams that built these startups have relocated to other markets as part of what was essentially an acqui-hire.

In the vast majority of cases, however, the local offices have grown in size and importance following the acquisition or merger, adding variety and depth to the region's tech community.

The story of Quick Left's merger with Sprintly is a case in point. The two companies merged in late 2013.

Co-founder and CEO of Consulting Ingrid Alongi said Quick Left is excited about its Portland office, but that opening an operation here wasn't part of a larger West Coast growth plan.

"We weren't looking for a merger and acquisition target, it was something that happened organically," Alongi said. "It just so happens that Sprintly is in a great city that we really like."

Portland is really making strides as a tech center, she said.

The company has had good luck finding the talent it needs in Portland and has been hiring for its office here. Quick Left's current growth plans are mostly for its Portland office.

Boulder and Portland have many similarities. The collaborative nature of Portland is similar to Boulder, and the cultures are alike.

"Both cities are places that people go to be involved in the tech scene without having to live in the Bay Area," Alongi said.

And while Boulder has great restaurants, "Portland has that times 100," Alongi noted.

Quick Left is participating in Portland Startup Week this week with a conference and meet-up focused on tech startups and entrepreneurs. The company is also sponsoring a "Where Are Your Wearables" hackfest at 6 p.m. on Feb. 4 at its office, 529 S.W. Third Ave, #200.